Gallaudet picks off Apprentice en route to 24-point victory

WASHINGTON – Gallaudet University's defense overwhelmed Apprentice School on a picturesque Saturday afternoon before 554 at Hotchkiss Field as the Bison recorded six turnovers (five interceptions, one fumble recovery) in a 38-14 non-conference football victory.

The Bison (2-0) controlled the clock as they held the ball for over 43 minutes while Apprentice (0-2) averaged just over a minute per its 14 possessions. GU converted on 6-of-7 chances in the red zone and scored 10 points off the six turnovers committed by Apprentice. Gallaudet rushed for 371 yards on 75 carries and compiled 441 yards of total offense in the 24-point win.

Sophomore quarterback Todd Bonheyo (Frederick, Md.) ran for a game-high 114 yards on 23 carries while fellow sophomore BJ Flores (Raymondville, Texas) gained 101 yards on nine carries (11.2 yards per carry) and scored one touchdown. Todd Bonheyo completed 3-of-7 passes for 38 yards and was sacked once and threw one interception. His longest pass, 32 yards, went to his older brother Ryan Bonheyo (Frederick, Md.) in the first quarter. Todd Bonheyo also hauled in a 32-yard pass from sophomore Braxton Baker (Webb City, Mo.) late in the second quarter.

Baker scored two short touchdowns to start the first and second quarters as GU led 14-7. Ryan Bonheyo (39 yards rushing, 30 yards receiving) scored from seven yards out with 11 seconds left before halftime. Gallaudet took a 21-7 lead into intermission.

The Bison started the second half with the ball and used a 13-play, 61-yard drive, which chewed up over six minutes on the clock, to score their fourth touchdown of the game. Senior Mike Hantge (Hutchinson, Minn.) plunged in from 1-yard out at the 8:46 mark. Hantge was Gallaudet's third leading rusher with 56 yards on 12 carries.